AI-generated images falsely depict Rodrigo Duterte attending ICC hearing
- Published on June 18, 2026 at 09:11
- 3 min read
- By Ara EUGENIO, AFP Philippines
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's new lead legal counsel has sought another assessment of his fitness to stand trial in his crimes against humanity case, but images shared online showing him appearing frail inside a courtroom are fabricated. Duterte has not physically attended a hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the images, which contain visual artefacts indicative of synthetic content, were flagged as made with Google's AI tools.
"My God, it pains my heart to see this," says a Visayan-language Facebook post shared on June 7, 2026. The post also includes the hashtag "Bring PRRD Home" -- which uses former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte's initials.
The post includes three images that appear to show the ex-leader inside an ICC courtroom. They appear to depict him using a walking stick and being helped to his seat by his legal counsel, Peter Haynes, and Judge Joanna Korner, who is presiding over Duterte's trial at the Hague-based tribunal.
The images also circulated in similar posts across social media after Korner approved the prosecution's bid to open trial proceedings in Duterte’s crimes against humanity case linked to his brutal anti-drug campaign from November 30 (archived link).
During February "confirmation of charges" hearings, the prosecution alleged Duterte killed thousands of suspected drug pushers and users, first as mayor of Davao City, then during his reign as Philippine president.
Though Duterte was cleared fit for the hearing, he did not appear in person and his defence team said he was not mentally sharp enough to follow the proceedings.
His new lead legal counsel, British barrister Haynes, argued in May that Duterte was not fit to stand trial; Korner granted the prosecution’s request while ordering a further assessment of the former president's fitness before proceedings begin.
The ICC trial chamber released a decision on June 12 instructing an expert panel to conduct the medical examination anew (archived link).
Comments on the circulating posts suggest users believed the images show Duterte in court.
"Even the judge saw how much he's struggling and truly respected him," reads one comment.
Another says: "It's very sad to see him like this, he only did his best for the Philippines."
But none of the images are genuine photos of Duterte in court.
AFP reported it is unlikely Duterte will ever appear at the Hague-based court, and judges have granted him leave of absence at every hearing so far.
The only time he has been seen since his arrest and transfer to The Hague was at an initial appearance via video on March 14, 2025, at which he seemed confused and tired, his speech barely audible (archived link).
AI-generated
Keyword searches on Facebook led to the same pictures uploaded on June 6 (archived link).
The images are accompanied by a disclaimer that reads: "AI-GENERATED IMAGE. This is NOT a real photo or event. Created with AI for artistic/creative purposes only."
According to the post's edit history, the disclaimer was added on June 13.
The Facebook page regularly posts AI-generated content featuring Duterte and his family.
According to an analysis by Google's SynthID detector, a tool designed to identify AI-generated content, the images contain digital watermarks that indicate they were created using the company's AI tools (archived link).
The images also contain visual inconsistencies indicative of digitally manipulated content -- such as the odd placement of the chair in the centre of the room, facing away from the judge's bench.
Moreover, the layout of the courtroom in the circulating images does not match with official photos and video of the ICC chambers (archived here, here and here).
AFP has fact-checked other misinformation around Duterte's ICC case.
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